1114 f.

XVIII

But, not to interrupt you further (I continued), after sowing, naturally
we hope to come to reaping. If, therefore, you have anything to say on
that head also, pray proceed to teach me.

Isch. Yes, by all means, unless indeed you prove on this head also to
know as much yourself already as your teacher. To begin then: You know
that corn needs cutting?

Soc. To be sure, I know that much at any rate.

Isch. Well, then, the next point: in the act of cutting corn how will
you choose to stand? facing the way the wind blows, [1] or against the
wind?

[1] Lit. "(on the side) where the wind blows or right opposite."

Soc. Not against the wind, for my part. Eyes and hands must suffer, I
imagine, if one stood reaping face to face with husks and particles of
straw. [2]

[2] i.e. "with particles of straw and beards of corn blowing in one's
face."

Isch. And should you merely sever the ears at top, or reap close to the
ground? [3]

[3] See Holden ad loc.; Sir Anthony Fitzherbert, "Husbandry," 27 (ed.
1767), "In Somersetshire... they do share theyr wheate very
lowe...."

If the stalk of corn were short (I answered), I should cut down close,
to secure a sufficient length of straw to be of use. But if the stalk be
tall, you would do right, I hold, to cut it half-way down, whereby the
thresher and the winnower will be saved some extra labour (which both
may well be spared). [4] The stalk left standing in the field, when
burnt down (as burnt it will be, I presume), will help to benefit the
soil; [5] and laid on as manure, will serve to swell the volume of
manure. [6]

[4] Lit. "will be spared superfluous labour on what they do not want."

[5] Al. "if burnt down...; if laid on as manure..."

[6] "Help to swell the bulk" (Holden). For the custom see Virg.
"Georg." i. 84; J. Tull, op. cit. ix. 141: "The custom of burning
the stubble on the rich plains about Rome continues to this time."

Isch. There, Socrates, you are detected "in the very act"; you know as
much about reaping as I do myself.

It looks a little like it (I replied). But I would fain discover whether
I have sound knowledge also about threshing.

Isch. Well, I suppose you are aware of this much: corn is threshed by
beasts of burthen? [7]

[7] Holden cf. Dr. Davy, "Notes and Observations on the Ionian
Islands." "The grain is beaten out, commonly in the harvest field,
by men, horses, or mules, on a thr